NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After a week of turmoil that rivaled anything the Cowboys have experienced in club history, the Titans were a welcomed sight Sunday. The Cowboys did what they had to do against an overmatched opponent in a 45-14 victory at LP Field.
Now, let the hype begin.
Playing one of your archrivals in an important division road game is one thing. Taking Terrell Owens with you to Philadelphia is another.
The breathless coverage (guilty) of the T.O. situation served as a warmup act for what you will see this week. Some Eagles fans were praying for Owens' well-being, but don't let that alarm you. They just couldn't stand the thought of not being able to express their sincere appreciation for his time in Philly.
Bill Parcells said he was going to "relax" on his plane ride back to Dallas, but my guess is that he was thinking about the Eagles before he made it through security.
This will be another wild week, but before we crank up, let's look back at Sunday's game. Oh, and if you have a suggestion for what to call this weekly post-game column, let me hear from you. I've decided that Fourth-and-8x11¾ inches has run its course.
Why did Haynesworth stomp on Gurode? I don't have an answer for you, but it's one of the most despicable acts I've witnessed during a professional sporting event. The first kick was bad enough, but when center Andre Gurode's helmet rolled away, Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth made sure he got one more stomp in.
That's the unforgivable part of the situation to me.
I don't really see it as a heat-of-the-moment type thing because the play had been over for several seconds, giving Haynesworth time to think about what he was doing.
When I arrived at Gurode's locker, he'd already spoken to a large group of reporters. I don't know if we have any pictures to show you of Gurode, but his left eye was almost swollen completely shut and blood was leaking through a bandage on his forehead.
"I've just never had anyone take a cheap shot on me," Gurode said. "I don't know what to say."
As I was flying back this morning, I read a quote from Titans defensive tackle Robaire Smith, who was attempting to defend Haynesworth.
"[Haynesworth] didn't do anything dirtier than what's been going on for years in the trenches," said Smith, who went on to add that his teammate's only crime was getting caught.
That's nice, Robaire. Maybe there's a reason why every team you play for flirts with a winless season.
As of about 20 minutes ago, we'd received 162 blog comments (sorry we can't approve all of them) regarding the incident.
Many of you are suggesting that Gurode should pursue criminal charges against Haynesworth. I've even heard from several lawyers on the subject. What I can tell you is that Gurode and his agent are definitely looking into possible legal action.
And I don't blame them. This game is violent enough without having to worry about having your face ripped open after the whistle's blown.
Haynesworth said all the right things after the game, but he'll have to behave like a normal human for a few years before we write this one off as an aberration. I'm hearing rumblings of a $25,000 fine and at least a one-game suspension. If the league suspends for one game, it wouldn't surprise me if Titans coach Jeff Fisher added a game.
Fisher came across as a class act after yesterday's game.
What Newman brings to the return game: With The Stomp and T.O.'s return, there are several things that won't receive much play. In my mind, Terence Newman's 20-yard punt return early in the second quarter was a huge play.
At least five Titans were closing in on him when he fielded the punt at his 25-yard line. He immediately escaped to the right side, but it looked like the Titans would string the play out.
He said he saw who he thought was teammate Jacques Reeves coming back to block for him, so he cut up the field and raced for 20 yards. He and Reeves were laughing about the play after the game because Newman had confused him with a Titans defender.
That play gave the Cowboys great field position, and they scored a touchdown six plays later.
Newman has already promised that he will let Reeves spike the ball the first time he returns a punt for a touchdown.
I couldn't keep Newman focused on the task at hand, though, because he wanted to discuss Saturday's game between our two alma maters. And if anyone needs the score of that game, I'd be happy to provide it.
Now, here are the things I jotted down on my yellow legal pad …
The Cowboys stayed at one of the most quaint 2,881-room hotels in the nation over the weekend.
The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center features nine acres of lush indoor gardens, a 44-foot cascading waterfall and a re-creation of a Delta river town, which pretty much sealed the deal for Bill Parcells.
We checked in at 5 p.m. Saturday and found our rooms a little before midnight.
I bumped into kicker Mike Vanderjagt on Saturday evening and we had a brief but poignant visit in the resort's garden conservatory.
The resort also features at least nine lobbies, which makes it almost impossible to meet someone. …
The Titans have to be re-thinking their decision to have Dallas native Cowboy Troy participate in the national anthem. Troy, who's billed on his Web site as "the world's only six-foot-five black rapping cowboy," recited the Pledge of Allegiance during breaks in the national anthem. Now, I've been on board with country rap for years, but isn't reciting the pledge something most of us picked up in first grade? …
Hall of Famer Warren Moon stopped by to have his No. 1 jersey retired in one of the few cities he never played in. Fans booed former Oilers and current Titans owner Bud Adams when he was introduced.
"I hearrrr you," he said.
Adams ran into trouble as he tried to name off Moon's playing stops. After a few painful moments, he changed the subject. …
Talked to Kevin Burnett about that shot he took from Newman's helmet during a punt return in the third quarter. Burnett said the helmet actually hit him in the stomach.
"I would've been out for at least three weeks if he'd hit me in the other place," Burnett joked.
Added Newman: "I didn't get him in the family." Nothing like some good post-game anatomy humor. …
Asked about missing a 26-yard field goal attempt, Vanderjagt said he was "annoyed" with himself and that the miss would "ruin my week." He said his kickoffs were fine as long as he was asked to kick it down the middle. Vanderjagt said his bad kickoffs came when Bruce DeHaven asked him for "directional" kicks. …
Nashville's LP Field had special meaning for the Cowboys' French-Canadian deep snapper.
"This is my home," said L.P. Ladouceur after the game. "I kept hearing them say "LP" over the speakers, and I'm not used to that sort of thing. …
Is it typical for the starting right guard to compliment a reporter on his new shoes? From the start, Marco Rivera has always been supportive of my wardrobe. …
Marion "Jones" was credited for a carry in the second quarter. …
I'd like to see at least one player congratulate Australian sensation Mat McBriar when he pins the opposing team inside its 10-yard line. …
Why do the Titans have a raccoon for a mascot. And why was their mascot, T-Rac, beating a man in a Cowboy costume with a guitar moments before kickoff? With skits like this, I can see why Tennessee has fallen off the map. …
Great to see a group of guys show up in Tyrone Calico jerseys for yesterday's game. It's important to live in the past if you're a Titans fan. …
Great to see Ed "Too Tall" Jones, who was sitting two rows behind me on the flight to Nashville. His alma mater, Tennessee State, dropped a tough one to Florida A&M on Saturday. Through a flight attendant, I asked Too Tall how many sacks he would've had against this Titans club. She held up five fingers as she walked past my seat. …
Tremendous slide by Tony Romo after a 4-yard carry in the fourth quarter. I told him I was making my way to the locker room and didn't see much of his work. With a straight face, he said, "It's too bad you missed my first touchdown pass. …
I'm still trying to figure out why some of the offensive linemen weren't talking after the game. Someone explained that they were being fined if they talked. I'll have to get clarification on that one. …
On another front, we're hearing that some teams are interested in trading for backup center Al Johnson, but unless the Cowboys get a ridiculous offer, it's not going to happen. …
Stay classy.
E-mail mmosley@dallasnews.com
